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imme_van_gorp's Reviews (701)
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story basically had one single message: capitalism is bad.
The plot follows an Indian family who try to make a living by pearl-diving but when the husband finds a glorious, beautiful pearl that is worth a lot of money, it brings nothing but pain and suffering. The rich, evil men would do anything to steal this impoverished man’s new-found wealth, and they are willing to go to immense lengths to take the pearl from him. First, the Indian family tries to fight back, but in the end they realize they do not want to own this pearl. They do not want to become wealthy. Not if it would make them dark and evil like all the other rich men. They would rather remain amongst their fellow poor people forever.
It could have been an okay story in theory, but I found the execution of it a little boring and even a bit simple. I also thought there are some problems with its message since it seems to suggests poor people should never try to move up in the world. I find that a little disheartening and discouraging, right?
Anyway, the writing was very descriptive and drawn-out, and I just didn’t feel connected to it. The characters also felt rather flat and didn’t come to live for me. Overall, I just wasn’t gripped by this story and the book left me feeling underwhelmed.
The plot follows an Indian family who try to make a living by pearl-diving but when the husband finds a glorious, beautiful pearl that is worth a lot of money, it brings nothing but pain and suffering. The rich, evil men would do anything to steal this impoverished man’s new-found wealth, and they are willing to go to immense lengths to take the pearl from him. First, the Indian family tries to fight back, but in the end they realize they do not want to own this pearl. They do not want to become wealthy. Not if it would make them dark and evil like all the other rich men. They would rather remain amongst their fellow poor people forever.
It could have been an okay story in theory, but I found the execution of it a little boring and even a bit simple. I also thought there are some problems with its message since it seems to suggests poor people should never try to move up in the world. I find that a little disheartening and discouraging, right?
Anyway, the writing was very descriptive and drawn-out, and I just didn’t feel connected to it. The characters also felt rather flat and didn’t come to live for me. Overall, I just wasn’t gripped by this story and the book left me feeling underwhelmed.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Oh, this was quite a big twist to what a lot of these books have been like so far. It felt truly very different somehow, and I’m pretty sure it was all because of the difference in who had the upper-hand in the relationship.
I can honestly and wholeheartedly say that Michael was a much better love interest than any of the heroes who came before him in this series. He truly worshipped Francesca and he was insanely in love with her. This man had been pining for her for years, obsessing over every little thing she did or said, yearning for the barest touch or slightest hint of attention. He seemed to think she hung the moon and the stars and never treated her in any way that would suggest he did not.
However, he did try his hardest to never let her discover his amorous feelings towards her, but not for any silly reason; Francesca used to be married to his cousin, a man he considered his brother and very best friend, so naturally Michael felt immense guilt for the way he felt towards the man’s wife. Especially since his feelings towards Francesca had started long before her first husband, his best friend, had died… It made sense why Michael would be wary of trying to “steal” Frannie after the poor man’s death, even more so since Francesca never gave him the impression she felt the same.
And the reason he never got that impression was probably because she genuinely didn’t feel the same. In a shocking twist of events; the heroine was not pining for the hero all this time too. Not only had she fully loved her first husband with all her heart when he was alive, but even after his death, she genuinely only ever saw Michael as a close friend and it took a lot of time for her to see him in a romantic light. Actually, I would go as far as to say that it took her too long. Frannie did want to remarry, and I didn’t quite understand why she refused Michael’s proposal the first time, let alone the hundreds of times he asked her afterwards, and especially after he opened up to her and told her how he has loved her for years! Like, girl, what more do you want??
Anyway, like I said, this book was clearly much different.
I can honestly and wholeheartedly say that Michael was a much better love interest than any of the heroes who came before him in this series. He truly worshipped Francesca and he was insanely in love with her. This man had been pining for her for years, obsessing over every little thing she did or said, yearning for the barest touch or slightest hint of attention. He seemed to think she hung the moon and the stars and never treated her in any way that would suggest he did not.
However, he did try his hardest to never let her discover his amorous feelings towards her, but not for any silly reason; Francesca used to be married to his cousin, a man he considered his brother and very best friend, so naturally Michael felt immense guilt for the way he felt towards the man’s wife. Especially since his feelings towards Francesca had started long before her first husband, his best friend, had died… It made sense why Michael would be wary of trying to “steal” Frannie after the poor man’s death, even more so since Francesca never gave him the impression she felt the same.
And the reason he never got that impression was probably because she genuinely didn’t feel the same. In a shocking twist of events; the heroine was not pining for the hero all this time too. Not only had she fully loved her first husband with all her heart when he was alive, but even after his death, she genuinely only ever saw Michael as a close friend and it took a lot of time for her to see him in a romantic light. Actually, I would go as far as to say that it took her too long. Frannie did want to remarry, and I didn’t quite understand why she refused Michael’s proposal the first time, let alone the hundreds of times he asked her afterwards, and especially after he opened up to her and told her how he has loved her for years! Like, girl, what more do you want??
Anyway, like I said, this book was clearly much different.
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. Okay. I don't even know where to start. This whole book frustrated me beyond relief and I'm terribly disappointed by it.
First of all, I think it's important to realise that this was not really Gibsie and Claire's book. It was only Gibsie's. Yes, we get Claire's POV as well, but the whole focus of this book is Gibsie's trauma and his way of dealing (or, more so, not dealing) with it. If you're looking for a grand romance here, you will be at the wrong address. The focus is never their relationship; we don’t actually get to see them do cute things together (like we saw from them in the previous books) or anything remotely meaningful. I thought this book would have beautiful relationship development with delicious pining and angst, but also a truly deep friendship that will finally turn into something more.
But no. Instead, it was mostly just Claire screaming “FUCK ME ALREADY!” and Gibsie screaming “NO, I CAN’T” which, of course, led to Claire huffing and puffing about not getting any sex, but then she simply forgets about it the next day, and the whole thing stars all over again. From the very beginning of the book they are basically already in a relationship, just without the physical intimacy due to Gibsie’s past trauma. It was perfectly valid for Gibsie not to want to take that step yet, and his only mistake was not being open and honest to Claire about why. If he had talked to her, there would have been no issues between them whatsoever. As it was, they were simply in a relationship without actually calling it one, and sometimes had a little tiff, but then always made up without even talking it out.
Furthermore, I was completely missing the undying-love, soulmate connection I was expecting from these two. I didn’t really feel their chemistry anymore and Gibsie never fought for her. He treated her like a princess when they were friends, don’t get me wrong, but whenever it was clear that she wanted more and he might lose her if he didn’t step up, he just did… nothing. He was not pro-active, and he was not the whipped boy I was promised.
All in all, this was just not a great romance. I think it’s important to realise that before reading it because you can lower your expectations in that regard.
Now, what is this book then, if not an actual romance? Well, mostly I think it was a trauma book. There is only one single thing this book actually focuses on and that is Gibsie’s inability to overcome his trauma. It did break my heart to see this sweet, innocent boy be so haunted by his past, especially since he refused to let anyone be affected by his own hurt. He always shouldered his trauma without complaint and he would rather die than inconvenience anyone with his pain. He was such a strong, kindhearted person and it shattered my soul to see him deal with it all on his own, while never letting the smile leave his face. He tried to stay a happy, positive person, even though he went through so much horror, and I can’t even imagine the bravery and perseverance someone must have to be able to do that. He was an angel.
Which, to be honest, only made it more sad that nobody ever stood up for him. There was not a single person who had his back, not a single person who was always in his corner, nobody. His friends and his mother needed to learn that he was raped as a little boy by his step-brother to finally take a stand against the people who have been hurting him for years. But, honestly, I really feel like he didn’t need to have a tragic past to deserve love and to deserve to be defended. He should have gotten that regardless. But no. They weren’t there for him then. Nobody was.
Considering Gibsie is the very best friend in the world to all the people around him, it made me very sad to see him not get that same energy back. He would have never stood for it if anyone bullied his friends the way he got bullied by Lizzie, but all of his friends just let it slide. Nobody called her out, nobody acknowledged the abuse he suffered each day by that monster. And no, it didn’t matter whether Lizzie was right or not. Even if Mark had raped Caoimhe, Lizzie still had zero right to put that blame on an innocent, traumatized boy who had nothing to do with it and who had already tragically lost his father and baby sister. Besides, I guess we all know Lizzie never cared about rape in the first place, and she just wanted a punching bag for her horrible attitude, because after the truth came out, she didn’t even apologize. Even worse, she still treated Gibsie like the enemy. Lizzie is the one who doesn’t believe rape victims, and she’s the one who would bully one. She’s the type of person she claims to hate.
Which, kind of brings me to my final, and most aggrivating point: There was nothing worse in this book than suffering through the scenes where that demon from hell, Lizzie Young, appeared on the page. She’s truly such a vile, disgusting person and it physically made me sick to see her get away with all the things she says and does. She’s a nasty bully who takes all of her issues out on the innocent people around her. She can manipulate and guilt-trip all she wants, but any reasonable person knows she had zero excuses for the way she behaved, none whatsoever, and I really wanted her to suffer the consequences of her actions for once.
I can’t, for the life of me, understand why anyone put up with her. She deserves to be alone and friendless, and it keeps pissing me off that that’s not happening right now. She needs to be called out, but nobody ever does. Why not? I guess it’s because all the girls are scared of the cruel words she would hurl their way, while all the guys are too busy getting a boner over her. Seriously, she’s the definition of pretty privilege, because she would not get away with any of the things she does if she didn’t have her beauty (especially since that’s the only thing she has going for her). I genuinely hate her.
All in all, this book was just very frustrating to read for me. Not only was it written like a Wattpad story, it was also incredibly aggravating to see Gibsie get zero recognition during the whole book. The fact that nobody noticed or cared about that boy’s suffering was just beyond upsetting, and every time he got abused by that bully Lizzie without anyone standing up for him just had my blood boiling. Long story short, this was far from a pleasant read. All it did was make me angry. And in the moments I wasn’t angry, I actually felt a bit bored. Because, like I said, I also did not get the beautiful romance I was promised. Far from it.
First of all, I think it's important to realise that this was not really Gibsie and Claire's book. It was only Gibsie's. Yes, we get Claire's POV as well, but the whole focus of this book is Gibsie's trauma and his way of dealing (or, more so, not dealing) with it. If you're looking for a grand romance here, you will be at the wrong address. The focus is never their relationship; we don’t actually get to see them do cute things together (like we saw from them in the previous books) or anything remotely meaningful. I thought this book would have beautiful relationship development with delicious pining and angst, but also a truly deep friendship that will finally turn into something more.
But no. Instead, it was mostly just Claire screaming “FUCK ME ALREADY!” and Gibsie screaming “NO, I CAN’T” which, of course, led to Claire huffing and puffing about not getting any sex, but then she simply forgets about it the next day, and the whole thing stars all over again. From the very beginning of the book they are basically already in a relationship, just without the physical intimacy due to Gibsie’s past trauma. It was perfectly valid for Gibsie not to want to take that step yet, and his only mistake was not being open and honest to Claire about why. If he had talked to her, there would have been no issues between them whatsoever. As it was, they were simply in a relationship without actually calling it one, and sometimes had a little tiff, but then always made up without even talking it out.
Furthermore, I was completely missing the undying-love, soulmate connection I was expecting from these two. I didn’t really feel their chemistry anymore and Gibsie never fought for her. He treated her like a princess when they were friends, don’t get me wrong, but whenever it was clear that she wanted more and he might lose her if he didn’t step up, he just did… nothing. He was not pro-active, and he was not the whipped boy I was promised.
All in all, this was just not a great romance. I think it’s important to realise that before reading it because you can lower your expectations in that regard.
Now, what is this book then, if not an actual romance? Well, mostly I think it was a trauma book. There is only one single thing this book actually focuses on and that is Gibsie’s inability to overcome his trauma. It did break my heart to see this sweet, innocent boy be so haunted by his past, especially since he refused to let anyone be affected by his own hurt. He always shouldered his trauma without complaint and he would rather die than inconvenience anyone with his pain. He was such a strong, kindhearted person and it shattered my soul to see him deal with it all on his own, while never letting the smile leave his face. He tried to stay a happy, positive person, even though he went through so much horror, and I can’t even imagine the bravery and perseverance someone must have to be able to do that. He was an angel.
Which, to be honest, only made it more sad that nobody ever stood up for him. There was not a single person who had his back, not a single person who was always in his corner, nobody. His friends and his mother needed to learn that he was raped as a little boy by his step-brother to finally take a stand against the people who have been hurting him for years. But, honestly, I really feel like he didn’t need to have a tragic past to deserve love and to deserve to be defended. He should have gotten that regardless. But no. They weren’t there for him then. Nobody was.
Considering Gibsie is the very best friend in the world to all the people around him, it made me very sad to see him not get that same energy back. He would have never stood for it if anyone bullied his friends the way he got bullied by Lizzie, but all of his friends just let it slide. Nobody called her out, nobody acknowledged the abuse he suffered each day by that monster. And no, it didn’t matter whether Lizzie was right or not. Even if Mark had raped Caoimhe, Lizzie still had zero right to put that blame on an innocent, traumatized boy who had nothing to do with it and who had already tragically lost his father and baby sister. Besides, I guess we all know Lizzie never cared about rape in the first place, and she just wanted a punching bag for her horrible attitude, because after the truth came out, she didn’t even apologize. Even worse, she still treated Gibsie like the enemy. Lizzie is the one who doesn’t believe rape victims, and she’s the one who would bully one. She’s the type of person she claims to hate.
Which, kind of brings me to my final, and most aggrivating point: There was nothing worse in this book than suffering through the scenes where that demon from hell, Lizzie Young, appeared on the page. She’s truly such a vile, disgusting person and it physically made me sick to see her get away with all the things she says and does. She’s a nasty bully who takes all of her issues out on the innocent people around her. She can manipulate and guilt-trip all she wants, but any reasonable person knows she had zero excuses for the way she behaved, none whatsoever, and I really wanted her to suffer the consequences of her actions for once.
I can’t, for the life of me, understand why anyone put up with her. She deserves to be alone and friendless, and it keeps pissing me off that that’s not happening right now. She needs to be called out, but nobody ever does. Why not? I guess it’s because all the girls are scared of the cruel words she would hurl their way, while all the guys are too busy getting a boner over her. Seriously, she’s the definition of pretty privilege, because she would not get away with any of the things she does if she didn’t have her beauty (especially since that’s the only thing she has going for her). I genuinely hate her.
All in all, this book was just very frustrating to read for me. Not only was it written like a Wattpad story, it was also incredibly aggravating to see Gibsie get zero recognition during the whole book. The fact that nobody noticed or cared about that boy’s suffering was just beyond upsetting, and every time he got abused by that bully Lizzie without anyone standing up for him just had my blood boiling. Long story short, this was far from a pleasant read. All it did was make me angry. And in the moments I wasn’t angry, I actually felt a bit bored. Because, like I said, I also did not get the beautiful romance I was promised. Far from it.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was bad. And so boring. I don’t even want to write a review for it, because I simply don’t have the energy left to complain about this series. It’s definitely time to throw in the towel.
There have been good installments, but the enjoyment has just completely dried up and almost all the characters and relationships have turned insufferable. Not to mention, the plot is so repetitive and mind-numbingly tedious, I can’t help but skim most of it.
I wish this series had ended ages ago, because the authors have ruined everything by dragging it out too long. Dom and Seth’s relationship was thrown to pieces a while ago, and Griff and Mark shouldn’t have gotten this second book.
There have been good installments, but the enjoyment has just completely dried up and almost all the characters and relationships have turned insufferable. Not to mention, the plot is so repetitive and mind-numbingly tedious, I can’t help but skim most of it.
I wish this series had ended ages ago, because the authors have ruined everything by dragging it out too long. Dom and Seth’s relationship was thrown to pieces a while ago, and Griff and Mark shouldn’t have gotten this second book.
I feel like this time Wes’s POV didn’t really add <i>anything</i> to the story. I expected a more angsty inner monologue about him having lost Liz and about him missing her, maybe even have him second guessing what he did wrong or could have done differently, but instead most of this novella was just a rehash of the same dialogue from the original book with only a few (<i>very few</i>) thoughts of Wes sprinkled in-between. It felt totally unnecessary and maybe even a little boring with its repetitiveness. I expected a lot more.
Wes just didn’t give me the same obsessed, whipped vibes here as he did in the other bonus scenes I have read in his POV. He seriously didn’t seem like the same guy at all. Apart from him not being as obsessed, the tone of his inner monologue was also different. I can’t exactly explain it, but this was a disappointing read for me.
Wes just didn’t give me the same obsessed, whipped vibes here as he did in the other bonus scenes I have read in his POV. He seriously didn’t seem like the same guy at all. Apart from him not being as obsessed, the tone of his inner monologue was also different. I can’t exactly explain it, but this was a disappointing read for me.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
These graphic novels are obviously cute, but they’re getting a little boring and repetitive to me. Sometimes this series kind of feels like an after-school special that’s trying to lecture me on teenage or woke topics in a slightly infantilizing way. That’s not to say that that’s always bad (certainly not!), but it doesn’t really lead to a particularly good story for people above a certain age.
Also, considering the childish, wholesome vibe of the overall series, I found it a little awkward that the whole plot of this installment was about Nick and Charlie wanting to have sex. It just felt a little out-of-place in my eyes, but that could just be a me thing.
Also, considering the childish, wholesome vibe of the overall series, I found it a little awkward that the whole plot of this installment was about Nick and Charlie wanting to have sex. It just felt a little out-of-place in my eyes, but that could just be a me thing.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
This was a simple story with not much meat to it, but it was still pretty fun and entertaining. People say it’s kind of like a YA Criminal Minds, but I really think it wasn’t anywhere near that quality to be even remotely compared to it.
The actual profiling the characters do here isn’t particularly extensive or cleverly put together, but I am willing to give credits for the effort. I mean, the execution really isn’t anything special, but I like the idea.
The main mystery plot was pretty interesting and kept me hooked at trying to figure it out. The reveal was a little awkward though. I get why the author chose to go this route because it was shocking and impactful, but it was also very dumb since it seriously made me question all of “The Natural” kids’ abilities. The whole point is that these kids can perfectly read people and catch serial killers, but none of them noticed anything off about the killer living right under their noses? They’re clearly not very good at something they’re supposed to be super talented at… It’s a little embarrassing. Truthfully, all this book did was show their complete and utter incompetence.
Of course, there’s also an instant love triangle that comes straight out of nowhere. Cassie doesn’t truly know either boy, but she’s inexplicably drawn to one of them and the other is inexplicably drawn to her. In the end, she has two boys fighting over her even though she has the non-existent personality of a cardboard box. It’s the same old, same old.
It’s very clear that Michael is just an obstacle though; I’m willing to bet Cassie is going to end up with Dean. Michael is fun and flirty and actually shows interest in her, but Cassie doesn’t think or care about him like she does Dean, who is broody and self-loathing and tries to fight his attraction to her at all costs. Michael would be the obvious choice for any well-functioning, normal person, but it’s always the Dean-types who get the girl in books, so I am pretty sure this series won’t be any different. That said, I really don’t dislike either of the boys, and I kind of just want both of them to be happy, so I hope the author will find a way to make them happen.
The actual profiling the characters do here isn’t particularly extensive or cleverly put together, but I am willing to give credits for the effort. I mean, the execution really isn’t anything special, but I like the idea.
The main mystery plot was pretty interesting and kept me hooked at trying to figure it out. The reveal was a little awkward though. I get why the author chose to go this route because it was shocking and impactful, but it was also very dumb since it seriously made me question all of “The Natural” kids’ abilities. The whole point is that these kids can perfectly read people and catch serial killers, but none of them noticed anything off about the killer living right under their noses? They’re clearly not very good at something they’re supposed to be super talented at… It’s a little embarrassing. Truthfully, all this book did was show their complete and utter incompetence.
Of course, there’s also an instant love triangle that comes straight out of nowhere. Cassie doesn’t truly know either boy, but she’s inexplicably drawn to one of them and the other is inexplicably drawn to her. In the end, she has two boys fighting over her even though she has the non-existent personality of a cardboard box. It’s the same old, same old.
It’s very clear that Michael is just an obstacle though; I’m willing to bet Cassie is going to end up with Dean. Michael is fun and flirty and actually shows interest in her, but Cassie doesn’t think or care about him like she does Dean, who is broody and self-loathing and tries to fight his attraction to her at all costs. Michael would be the obvious choice for any well-functioning, normal person, but it’s always the Dean-types who get the girl in books, so I am pretty sure this series won’t be any different. That said, I really don’t dislike either of the boys, and I kind of just want both of them to be happy, so I hope the author will find a way to make them happen.
DNF @20%
The way these people talked was absolutely ridiculous. No one actually speaks like that.
It made it very hard to connect with anything that was said.
It was lust or love or obsession (or whatever the hell you want to call it) at first sight. Completely superficial and no depth whatsoever.
The only thing that I found enjoyable was their first meeting at the very beginning. I actually thought it was kind of cute. Unfortunately, after that it all went downhill.
The two love interests were also really weird. I didn’t understand their inner thoughts at all, and I felt no connection to either of them.
The plot and writing-style made it hard for me to keep my eyes open and not drift off to sleep. It was so stiff and boring.
There was more focus on and depth to this random side character than there was on either of the two main characters. I found this to be very disorienting, as I don’t understand why I should randomly care about this other character so much (FYI, I didn’t).
I thought about skimming some of the scenes, but then I realized I didn’t even want to continue reading any of this. So, to what point would I be skimming?
Nothing about this book seems good or interesting. Everything felt empty. Simple as that.
So, I had to quit. I’m not that much of a masochist.
The way these people talked was absolutely ridiculous. No one actually speaks like that.
It made it very hard to connect with anything that was said.
It was lust or love or obsession (or whatever the hell you want to call it) at first sight. Completely superficial and no depth whatsoever.
The only thing that I found enjoyable was their first meeting at the very beginning. I actually thought it was kind of cute. Unfortunately, after that it all went downhill.
The two love interests were also really weird. I didn’t understand their inner thoughts at all, and I felt no connection to either of them.
The plot and writing-style made it hard for me to keep my eyes open and not drift off to sleep. It was so stiff and boring.
There was more focus on and depth to this random side character than there was on either of the two main characters. I found this to be very disorienting, as I don’t understand why I should randomly care about this other character so much (FYI, I didn’t).
I thought about skimming some of the scenes, but then I realized I didn’t even want to continue reading any of this. So, to what point would I be skimming?
Nothing about this book seems good or interesting. Everything felt empty. Simple as that.
So, I had to quit. I’m not that much of a masochist.
DNF @26%
I’m sorry, but this simply just wasn’t very good. I really wanted it to be. Hell, I was expecting it to be, but it just wasn’t.
The plot already makes absolutely zero sense.
The idea is that Jess has had the hots for Lauren since she was 13 years old while Lauren was 18. Obviously that wouldn’t work, and Lauren doesn't remotely feel the same way, so Lauren jokingly makes a pact with tiny little Jess that she would get to collect on a date with Lauren if she ever made it to the Olympics (and they were both adults). Okay, sounds fair (albeit sappy, but we love sappy), right?
Yea, okay, so. Jess makes it to the Olympics, and she comes knocking on Lauren’s door. Or, well, at Lauren’s workplace’s door, because apparently this woman doesn’t own a house (I mean, she does, I’m assuming, but you would think that she doesn’t). They reunite (awkwardly) and agree to have this date. Which, by the way, was the most stiff and impersonal date in the history of dates. They only talked about fencing, and about nothing else. But, hey, they seem to think the chemistry was sizzling and sparks were flying, so who am I to tell them there is more chemistry between a wet piece of cloth and a bland piece of paper than between either of them?
Okay, so yea, after this world-class first date, Jess is still totally over the moon in awe of Lauren, and Lauren has apparently decided that she has never been this enamoured with another person either. Right, okay, sure. I’m not seeing it, but you do you.
But, no, they don’t listen to “you do you”. No, they don’t do anything logical with this apparent love between them. Instead, Lauren randomly decides to play the martyr and is like “oh no, sorry Jess, we are perfect together, but we’re not having a second date ever again. Please leave our hometown and never come back, because you deserve soooo much more (what is this ‘more’ exactly?? We don’t know) and I want nothing more than for you to get everything you want! Because apparently nobody cares about you like I do even though we’ve only talked for like a day after not having seen each other for 10 years!!” Sure. Makes no sense, but whatever. Again, you do you.
Jess, however, takes this.. in stride, I guess? She doesn’t respond with something akin to “nah, I wanna come back and have a second date. What the hell are you even on about?” Instead, she’s like “Aha, yes. Makes sense. Sure.” Ummmmm. Yea, colour me confused. Jess, honey, I thought this woman was the love of your life or something?? You’ve waited ten years for this and that’s your response?? Alright…
After thinking about it for a minute, though, Jess, by some weird mental aerobics, decides that Lauren would actually be the perfect coach for her. Because Lauren cares. And that’s apparently all the qualifications an Olympics coach needs. Not to mention that this would mean they don’t get to be in any kind of relationship at all, because she would be her literal coach… So, yea. Sounds like a great idea, right?
So, when Jess tells Lauren that she is going to be her coach, Lauren is like “oh my god? Really?? Lil’old me?” and apparently her whole big speech of “you need the best” doesn’t apply to Jess’ actual career, because she’s totally ready to be her (underqualified) coach, but not date her?????
And that was the moment I threw in the towel.
None of this was logical and there was zero feeling to it.
These two women had no apparent connection, no chemistry, and didn’t know the first thing about each other. For Jess it’s obviously all a big childhood fantasy, which, I mean, doesn’t seem like a great basis for a relationship, but that I can at least understand. Lauren, however, has no excuse to be so into Jess. I mean, why is she? Is it because Jess is a successful fencer? Is it because she’s hot? It can’t be for her personality, because that one doesn’t exist other than Jess giving complete “I want Lauren” attitude.
It's all ridiculous and I didn’t like it. It had zero depth, and not even in a fun way.
I feel no inclination to see them pining for each other while training together when it doesn’t even make sense they’re not just dating instead of working together in the first place. It’s dumb.
I’m sorry, but this simply just wasn’t very good. I really wanted it to be. Hell, I was expecting it to be, but it just wasn’t.
The plot already makes absolutely zero sense.
The idea is that Jess has had the hots for Lauren since she was 13 years old while Lauren was 18. Obviously that wouldn’t work, and Lauren doesn't remotely feel the same way, so Lauren jokingly makes a pact with tiny little Jess that she would get to collect on a date with Lauren if she ever made it to the Olympics (and they were both adults). Okay, sounds fair (albeit sappy, but we love sappy), right?
Yea, okay, so. Jess makes it to the Olympics, and she comes knocking on Lauren’s door. Or, well, at Lauren’s workplace’s door, because apparently this woman doesn’t own a house (I mean, she does, I’m assuming, but you would think that she doesn’t). They reunite (awkwardly) and agree to have this date. Which, by the way, was the most stiff and impersonal date in the history of dates. They only talked about fencing, and about nothing else. But, hey, they seem to think the chemistry was sizzling and sparks were flying, so who am I to tell them there is more chemistry between a wet piece of cloth and a bland piece of paper than between either of them?
Okay, so yea, after this world-class first date, Jess is still totally over the moon in awe of Lauren, and Lauren has apparently decided that she has never been this enamoured with another person either. Right, okay, sure. I’m not seeing it, but you do you.
But, no, they don’t listen to “you do you”. No, they don’t do anything logical with this apparent love between them. Instead, Lauren randomly decides to play the martyr and is like “oh no, sorry Jess, we are perfect together, but we’re not having a second date ever again. Please leave our hometown and never come back, because you deserve soooo much more (what is this ‘more’ exactly?? We don’t know) and I want nothing more than for you to get everything you want! Because apparently nobody cares about you like I do even though we’ve only talked for like a day after not having seen each other for 10 years!!” Sure. Makes no sense, but whatever. Again, you do you.
Jess, however, takes this.. in stride, I guess? She doesn’t respond with something akin to “nah, I wanna come back and have a second date. What the hell are you even on about?” Instead, she’s like “Aha, yes. Makes sense. Sure.” Ummmmm. Yea, colour me confused. Jess, honey, I thought this woman was the love of your life or something?? You’ve waited ten years for this and that’s your response?? Alright…
After thinking about it for a minute, though, Jess, by some weird mental aerobics, decides that Lauren would actually be the perfect coach for her. Because Lauren cares. And that’s apparently all the qualifications an Olympics coach needs. Not to mention that this would mean they don’t get to be in any kind of relationship at all, because she would be her literal coach… So, yea. Sounds like a great idea, right?
So, when Jess tells Lauren that she is going to be her coach, Lauren is like “oh my god? Really?? Lil’old me?” and apparently her whole big speech of “you need the best” doesn’t apply to Jess’ actual career, because she’s totally ready to be her (underqualified) coach, but not date her?????
And that was the moment I threw in the towel.
None of this was logical and there was zero feeling to it.
These two women had no apparent connection, no chemistry, and didn’t know the first thing about each other. For Jess it’s obviously all a big childhood fantasy, which, I mean, doesn’t seem like a great basis for a relationship, but that I can at least understand. Lauren, however, has no excuse to be so into Jess. I mean, why is she? Is it because Jess is a successful fencer? Is it because she’s hot? It can’t be for her personality, because that one doesn’t exist other than Jess giving complete “I want Lauren” attitude.
It's all ridiculous and I didn’t like it. It had zero depth, and not even in a fun way.
I feel no inclination to see them pining for each other while training together when it doesn’t even make sense they’re not just dating instead of working together in the first place. It’s dumb.
DNF @33%
I'm sorry, but I just wasn't feeling it.
This is so over-the-top angsty and drags so much, that it genuinely gave me a bit of a headache.
The characters are extremely annoying and the big bad hitman was honestly more like a 14 year old schoolgirl having an angst-fest over something as mundane as walking through the supermarket or having to look into his crush's eyes. I'm sorry, but come on now.
The romance was extremely underdeveloped and was complete insta-love, which wouldn't be that terrible if it weren't for the fact that the hitman dude had supposedly let no one in for the past 10 years, shutting all of his emotions completely off, but then he looks into this random dude's eyes and he's basically in love? Riiiiiiiight.
All Jack and D did was fight. The tenderness was absent and there was nothing sweet about them together. They were always bickering and I couldn't see why either one of them would care about the other so much, let alone be head-over-heels in love with them.
The suspense was dumb. The action was dumb. The mystery was dumb. I didn't care.
This is also far too long. I feel like half of the time they were just making coffee or something, doing absolutely nothing interesting.
Maybe this could have been somewhat enjoyable if it was a lot shorter, but now it just became annoying to have to spend so much time with these tiresome characters and this dragged-out plotline.
I'm sorry, but I just wasn't feeling it.
This is so over-the-top angsty and drags so much, that it genuinely gave me a bit of a headache.
The characters are extremely annoying and the big bad hitman was honestly more like a 14 year old schoolgirl having an angst-fest over something as mundane as walking through the supermarket or having to look into his crush's eyes. I'm sorry, but come on now.
The romance was extremely underdeveloped and was complete insta-love, which wouldn't be that terrible if it weren't for the fact that the hitman dude had supposedly let no one in for the past 10 years, shutting all of his emotions completely off, but then he looks into this random dude's eyes and he's basically in love? Riiiiiiiight.
All Jack and D did was fight. The tenderness was absent and there was nothing sweet about them together. They were always bickering and I couldn't see why either one of them would care about the other so much, let alone be head-over-heels in love with them.
The suspense was dumb. The action was dumb. The mystery was dumb. I didn't care.
This is also far too long. I feel like half of the time they were just making coffee or something, doing absolutely nothing interesting.
Maybe this could have been somewhat enjoyable if it was a lot shorter, but now it just became annoying to have to spend so much time with these tiresome characters and this dragged-out plotline.